Bioactive peptides from microalgae: Focus on anti-cancer and immunomodulating activity

Area of Science:

• Marine Biotechnology
• Pharmacology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Microalgae are increasingly recognized for their potential to yield novel bioactive compounds.
• Conventional cancer therapies often present significant side effects and drug resistance challenges.
• Peptide-based immunomodulation has emerged as a promising cancer treatment strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of microalgae as a source for new peptides in cancer management.
• To explore the anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects of microalgal peptides.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on microalgal peptides and their anti-cancer activities.
• Analysis of reported anti-cancer effects across different cancer types and microalgal species.
• Evaluation of immunomodulatory and other health-promoting effects of microalgal peptides.

Main Results:

• Positive anti-cancer effects of microalgal peptides have been observed in six different cancer types.
• Chlorella strains are the most studied, but other species also show potential.
• Active peptide sequences and cultivation conditions are often not fully reported.

Conclusions:

• Microalgae represent a largely untapped resource for discovering novel anti-cancer peptides.
• The cost-effectiveness and availability of microalgae support their use in cancer research.
• Further investigation into specific peptide sequences and cultivation optimization is warranted.